| Carol Lynn Pearson
November 2008 Newsletter
What a November this is! Images of celebration we see worldwide remind us of the deep, deep connections we share. Images of anger and mistrust over the battle of Proposition 8 remind us of the chasms that have opened, the families that have been divided, the congregations that have been split and the deepening feelings of "us" and "them" that we sense in our communities over issues that are extremely important. The readers of this newsletter can guess that my own heart feels tremendous grief. But I would like now to remind us that there is a unity that is usually unseen: the threads behind the tapestry of our humanity that insist that we are all part of the One, threads we get to glimpse only in those magical moments we call synchronicity. (See my book EMBRACING COINCIDENCE, formerly titled CONSIDER THE BUTTERFLY.) One of those moments popped up a couple of weeks ago. STORY: CLEAR MESSAGE FROM THE OTHER SIDE. My brother Warren, one of the best men I know, went with his wife Shweta from their home in St. George, Utah to Thousand Oaks, California, to visit our sister Marie. Over the years Warren has often gone there to visit the Krotona Institute in nearby Ojai, where he enjoys studying with the Theosophical Society. Some years ago at Krotona he met there and became friends with Norm, and the two of them enjoyed hours of philosophizing over the mysteries of the universe. Three and a half years ago Norm passed away, and on this recent visit Warren decided to go and pay a visit to Norm’s long-time gay partner, Val. The rest of the story will be told in the words of our sister Marie as she told it to me. "Shweta and I dropped Warren off at Val’s house and went to downtown Ojai to browse around in that giant used bookstore. I was poking through what seemed like millions of books, when right there on the shelf was an old copy of BEGINNINGS by Carol Lynn Pearson! I picked it up and opened it – to see on the flyleaf the handwriting of my brother Warren:"Dear Norman, this is a book of poetry by my sister Carol Lynn. Thank you for your kindness and for being you. Best wishes always, Warren Wright Krotona, 1992" A few hours later Marie had just given the book to our brother when the phone rang. "That will be Carol Lynn," she said. And it was. The magic is always in the timing! What are the chances? Book given in 1992; death of Norm in 2004, with many of his belongings given away; Warren visiting Norm’s old house in 2008 at the exact moment his sister picks up the very book written by his other sister that he had given to his friend now on the other side. Warren and Norm were always trying to figure out the meaning of life and death. Were Norm and the trickster Universe continuing the conversation? "Hey, Warren. Surprise! I’m here – just out of sight. Guess what? You know that death we used to philosophize about? It really is just another Beginning!"***** CAROL LYNN PEARSON BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS! Back in print, one of my favorites: THE CHRISTMAS THIEF (How do you "love your enemy" when the neighborhood troublemaker steals your nativity set?) Twenty-five personally autographed books available at http://www.clpearson.com/personal_gifts.htm. SPECIAL!– Free copy of NO MORE GOODBYES: CIRCLING THE WAGONS AROUND OUR GAY LOVED ONES with order of any book. Free copy of both NO MORE GOODBYES and THE MODERN MAGI (another favorite Christmas story) with orders totaling $50 or more. Order must be received by Friday, November 14th.***** FACING EAST (Mormon couple deals with suicide of gay son) plays this week in Cedar City, Utah! Arts Administration Program Southern Utah University, Black Box Theatre November 12-15, 7:30 p.m., & November 15, 2:00 p.m 435-586-7878 Spring and summer productions coming to Orem, Utah San Diego Long Beach ****** TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS: http://clpearson.com/consultations.htm.PRIVATE RETREATS: http://www.clpearson.com/CLPRetreatFLYER.pdf.Some gay men have inquired why I specialize in retreats for women! Well, why indeed? If you are a gay man and would like to help me put together an exciting, healing, inspirational retreat – email me and we’ll talk about how and where and when.***** "It is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential." –Barack ObamaI’m grateful that you are part of my November! Love, Carol Lynn
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